Wednesday 27 September 2017

Student Newsletter Issue 53

Contents

• Announcements
• News
• Opportunities for students
• Careers Events & News
• What's on
• Blogs
• From the editors

New University Health Service opening hours

The University Health Service, based in the Support Hub, Old Technical Institute, is now open for students and staff Monday to Friday 9am-4.30pm.

A doctor is available for minor ailments and injuries for 3 x 1 hour sessions each week.

For further information on the services offered visit www.dundee.ac.uk/healthservice

Honorary degree nominations

Every year during Summer and Winter Graduation the University awards a small number of Honorary Degrees to individuals who have made an outstanding achievement or contribution in their field, and who have a link in some way to the University or to the wider city.  These recipients inspire our graduates to go out and follow their dreams and be the best that they can be and we're now inviting nominations to be awarded in 2018. 

If there's anyone you would like to receive an Honorary Degree then let us know by filling in the online form by 18 October 2017.

Academic Skills Centre (ASC): developing students' academic skills and enhancing skills for academics

The Centre for the enhancement of Academic Skills, Teaching, Learning and Employability (CASTLE) has re-branded as the new Academic Skills Centre (ASC). This change of name is in response to student and staff feedback that ASC is more identifiable with what they do.

Their services prioritise the two key areas of developing students' academic skills and enhancing skills for academics. They will continue to deliver these services and to build on the successes of CASTLE, working collaboratively with student and staff partners, to support excellence in learning and teaching across the University.

Delayed release of email security feature

IT let you know that any potentially suspicious emails you receive would start to be tagged with 'UNVERIFIED SENDER' because a new security feature is being introduced. This change was postponed and will now go live tomorrow (Thu 28 Sep). More information.

Update: wifi everywhere, even outside

47 (+6) external access points are now offering you superfast wifi outdoors. A snapshot was taken on Mon 18 Sep, which showed that:

• 7080 devices were connected at 13:45 (peak)
• 4550 of these were to eduroam
• 1090 of these were to Student_Residences
• 1440 of these were to _TheCloud

Remember to connect to eduroam to speed up your internet in live locations.

The University and the EU referendum result - reminder

The University's webpage providing the latest information about the status of EU citizens and their families in the UK as the EU negotiations progress can be found at
www.dundee.ac.uk/hr/policiesprocedures/euinformationforstaffbrexit

Graduates win international Undergraduate Awards

Two University of Dundee graduates have won global honours at the Undergraduate Awards, the largest international academic accolade programme.

Martha Andrews has won the Architecture and Design award and Jordan Skrynka took the honours in the Psychology category. 

A further eight were Highly Commended read more, and be ready to encourage your students to enter when the nominations open in 2018.

Help us improve the website - spare one hour of your time

The web team are running a series of Top Tasks Workshops from Mon 2 – Fri 6 Oct in the Dalhousie Building.

This is your chance to get involved with the web project and help ensure that the University website is designed with user needs at the heart of it.

If you can spare 1 hour, it would be great to see you there.

• Mon 2 Oct 12-1pm
• Tue 3 Oct 2-3pm
• Wed 4 Oct 12-1pm
• Thu 5 Oct 10-11am
• Fri 6 Oct 12-1pm

Find out more and book your place

Wellbeing Regardless

WHO? Any student with a long term condition eg arthritis, ME, epilepsy, MS, IBS, fibromyalgia, depression, etc. Maximum: 15 students.

WHAT?  A free course on how to manage your condition, take charge of your life and improve your wellbeing. Practical tips, peer support and fun.  Pain, diet, exercise, relaxation, stress, confident communication, resilience, and managing change.

WHEN?  Tuesdays for 1 hour 1-2pm for 4 weeks. From 24 Oct to 14 Nov.

WHERE? Dalhousie Building Room 1LG04. 

BOOK by 20 October 2017 to Dr Gaye Manwaring g.manwaring@dundee.ac.uk

Impaired colour vision

Are you affected by or interested in impaired colour vision?

The Digitally Augmented Perception Research Lab would like you to join their participant pool mailing list and receive notifications about upcoming studies and occasional news from the area.

The Dundee Careers Fair (Tue 10 Oct)

This event is for all students and graduates. It will be attended by local and national employers, from a wide range of sectors, and organisations with further study and professional training opportunities. They will be offering internships and summer placements, as well as graduate positions.

For fast track entry and to see a list of firms/organisations attending please visit the Careers website.

Bonar Hall  10.30am-2.30pm

Ever thought about a career in teaching?

Our School Tutoring Programme is a great chance for you to gain classroom experience in a local school, which can help you make an informed decision as to whether teaching is for you.

We offer placements for around half a day per week for 8-10 weeks during academic year 2017-18.

Apply early as the programme is very popular.

www.dundee.ac.uk/careers/stp

Fully-funded leadership opportunity

Develop your ability to lead from a global perspective and play a part in tackling the biggest issues facing business, governments and societies worldwide.

This fully-funded programme is open to all students studying at University of Dundee. Priority will be given to students who have not previously travelled abroad for work or study.

Find out more uod.ac.uk/cp2017 or email commonpurpose@dundee.ac.uk

“The experience was great…. It's quite amazing how much a few days can change the way you think about the world ….”
Struan Robertson, Biomedical Science Student, Global Leader Experience Participant 2016

Want to work in Japan? (Mon 2 Oct)

Are you interested in becoming an Assistant Language Teacher or Coordinator for International Relations?   The JET Programme is an official Japanese Government scheme which sends graduates to Japan for a minimum of 12 months to promote international understanding and improve foreign language teaching in schools. 

Mon 2 Oct, 1-2pm, Careers Service Seminar Room 1

Come along and find out more - sign up via Careers Portal

https://dundee.targetconnect.net/leap/event.html?id=83&service=Careers+Service

Ambitious Futures - careers in Higher Education

The Higher Education sector offers a wide range of employment opportunities, in particular in management and leadership. You might not have considered it before, but why not think about now as a career possibility?

The Ambitious Futures programme allows you to gain valuable experience, while earning.  

Read more, and chat to the team at the Careers Fair on Tue 10 Oct.

Knit and Natter (Wednesdays)

The ‘Knit and Natter’ group meets every Wednesday in the glass room, 1st floor, Chaplaincy between 12noon and 2pm.

Pop in for some relaxing ‘me’ time and lively conversation. It’s very informal and everyone brings along their own wool and needles. All skill levels welcome. Members of the group include some who are very knowledgeable and don’t mind helping newbies to the craft.

Email Darienne at m.y.tosh@dundee.ac.uk for more information.

Macmillan Coffee Morning (Fri 29 Sep)

Taking place in the Tower Building Level 5 Meeting Room between 10am-12noon for cakes and goodies, a coffee morning to raise money for Macmillan, with the aim of beating the £1,000 raised last year.

Other Macmillan coffee mornings/bake sales will also be taking place on the day. Find out more about the charity.

A Taste of Scotland Welcome Party (Fri 29 Sep)

All students are invited to this popular event which includes a haggis supper, highland dancers, bagpipes and Scottish Country Dancing with a fantastic live band. 

Fri 29 Sept, 7pm-11pm, Bonar Hall, tickets £8

Book now at uod.ac.uk/tasteofscotland (tickets limited).

Email internationalsupport@dundee.ac.uk

DUSA Mid Autumn Festival (Wed 4 Oct)

A fun-filled evening to celebrate the mid-autumn festival. Completely FREE with live performers, arts and crafts and traditional food and drink. 7.30-9.30pm floor 5 DUSA | the Union.

Organised by Dundee University Student Association, Dundee University Singaporean Society, Dundee University Malaysian Society, Dundee University International Society and Dundee Chinese Students and Scholars Association.

Cafe Science Dundee: How is Pollution Affecting Scottish Seals? (Mon 9 Oct)

This talk by Kimberley Bennett from Abertay University will explore health effects that long term pollutants cause in marine mammals, the latest findings on the dangers of these chemicals, and what can be done to avoid similar problems for humans and marine mammals in the future.

Café Science Dundee at Avery & Co. at 34 South Tay Street on Mon 9 Oct 7pm. This is a free event and there is no need to book in advance, but arrive early to avoid disappointment.

The Margaret Harris lecture 2017: Strength in Silence by Martin Pistorius (Wed 1 Nov)

This year's Margaret Harris Lecture will be given by Martin Pistorius who will take a look at how we communicate with the world in different ways.  This takes place on Wed 1 Nov, 6pm in the Dalhousie Building.

Following an illness when he was a teenager Martin was left in a wheelchair and unable to speak.  He spent 14 years in institutions for people with profound mental and physical disabilities before rebuilding his life and learning to communicate via computer and communication boards.  He'll share his journey and explore the strength and unexpected lessons he has discovered within his silence.

Book your ticket

IT: Virtualisation and a change of location

IT Product Engineer Ian Angles gives his account of the recent VMworld conference in Barcelona.

If you wish to communicate around the University, this fortnightly newsletter is just one way to do that. Please check our Methods of Internal Communication webpage, and feel free to get in touch if you have any questions.

The next newsletter will be distributed on Wednesday 11 October - the deadline is 4pm on Friday 6 October.